The head of Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Corporation (KHNP), the state reactor operator, was in the Czech Republic and Poland on Sunday, hoping to promote South Korean reactor technology in Eastern Europe after Africa and the Middle East.  

Whang Joo-ho, who was appointed KHNP's chief executive last month, led the team on a four-day trip to the Czech Republic and Poland, according to multiple government and nuclear power plant industry sources.  

They will meet with nuclear authorities and project officials to promote the superiority of South Korea's reactors.  

South Korea has completed the Baraka nuclear power plant project in the United Arab Emirates on schedule and budget, and recently joined Egypt's El-Dabaa nuclear power project.  

Whang Joo-ho's first visit to the two countries since his inauguration in August comes after Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Lee Chang-Yang visited the two countries in June.  

Poland is planning to build six new nuclear reactors.  KHNP submitted a bid in April.  An operator is expected to be named as early as the end of this year.  

The Czech Republic has budgeted for the addition of a new nuclear reactor to the Dukovany complex.  KHNP is preparing to submit its bid in November.  A preferred bidder will be selected in 2024 for the allocation of three more reactors.  

South Korea will compete with the United States and France for projects in both countries.  

KHNP may form a consortium with Westinghouse, as a summit between South Korea and the United States has agreed to explore nuclear reactor projects overseas.  

"The possibility of forming a KORAE-U.S. team is open," Whang said. "South Korea and the U.S. working together on nuclear energy exploration would set a good model for cooperation."  "But when there are difficulties with the joint terms, various options are possible," he added.  

South Korea first targeted the Lubiatoow-Kopalino project in Poland.  The Polish government plans to build six plants with a total power of 6,000 to 9,000 megawatts between 2033 and 2043, and pick an operator as early as this year.  

The Dukovany nuclear power plant project in the Czech Republic will be next, as its government will pick a preferred bidder in 2024.  The bidder is expected to win an additional order for three nuclear reactors.  

Saudi Arabia plans to build two 1,400-megawatt nuclear power plants by 2030, and South Korea is likely to compete with France, Russia and China for the project.  Britain, the Netherlands, South Africa, the Philippines and Kazakhstan also want more reactors.  

"The reactor project stands a better chance if South Korea and the United States can form a consortium," said a South Korean nuclear expert who asked not to be named. "The United States has outstanding capabilities in nuclear design technology and securing funding, as well as political and diplomatic strength, while South Korea is competitive in construction and supply chain areas."  

"Even if South Korea wins the order alone," says Yoon Sang-jick, a former industry minister, "the exclusion of Westinghouse from the project is inevitable given the various benefits."  

Given Poland's relationship with Washington in the Russia-Ukraine situation, the Polish nuclear program could go to the United States.  The Polish government also speaks highly of South Korea's construction capability and price competitiveness, and hopes to cooperate in other advanced industries, such as chips and batteries, as well as defense.  

Westinghouse said it was positive about the idea of Corus's team and hoped for a better chance of winning.